Church Management Using Technology

How Technology Can Help You Manage Your Church

It’s impossible to ignore technology or how fast it is evolving. And that is the essence of Moore’s law.

Gordon Moore, the founder of Intel, stated in 1965 that computing speeds would double every 18 months. Over half a century later, his theory has held mostly.

As more computing power hits the market, the world hasn’t been slow to stay on track with the latest tech. How we live and interact is transforming by the day. 

But how has the church been coping with these changes?

Church Management Using Technology

According to a national survey done by Hartford Institute, churches willing to embrace change and be innovative generally fare better. However, not many churches are willing to take the bold step, especially regarding technology.

But that shouldn’t be the case. Technology makes the life of both the church leaders and congregants far much easier.

Church management includes various activities such as event management for weddings or prayer events, member engagement, and finance management. You need to efficiently handle these activities for your church to reach its goals and thrive.

Church management software offer a cloud-based solution that allows pastors and administrators to organize the daily operations of their church or religious organization.

This software automates routine tasks related to church administration such as coordination and reporting, communication, keeping tabs on contributions, and managing contact information and data.

Why Churches Should Adopt Technology

There are good reasons you should invest in good church management software and other technologies in general.

Expanded Audience

Businesses and nonprofits have been actively using technology to advance their mission and reach larger audiences than was perceived possible just a decade ago. Such results are similar for the church. 

Several churches are now using social media and live streaming to spread God’s word and reach more audiences. With the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual churches and live streaming have hit an all-time high. 

Now, home-bound congregants, servicemen and women on the battlefields, and college students can view services and participate in church activities online.

Church apps and church management software offer a new front to reach even more audiences. They offer increased participation in church activities which excites both existing and new members. 

With some advanced software, you can add links to the virtual church, information about the Sunday school program, upcoming events and event pages, prayer meetings, and daily bible verses to inspire the congregation.

Easier Collaboration

With technology, you can promote your church to new members faster and connect with existing congregants better. Easier collaboration helps build and strengthen relationships that may be lost in conventional circumstances. 

Church management technology allows congregants to collaborate easily when setting up events, bible studies, or other church activities.

Raise More Funds

The collection plate is no longer enough to raise money for the church to keep it running. Many transactions have also gone cashless. Therefore, it makes sense to collect payments online.

Emerging church management technology has allowed churches to accept online payments for tithes, offerings, and fundraisers. You can set up online donation forms or pages and use crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaigns to raise more funds.

Better Access to Experts

Most churches have trouble accessing and paying experts to help with certain church activities such as fundraising and keeping track of any requirements needed to hold an event or meeting. Technology helps bridge that gap.

With some software, you can access freelance experts on marketing, fundraising, and security. 

There are also missionaries worldwide who use these platforms to spread God’s word and reach those who’re yet to hear the good news. Therefore, it is now easier to find these mission opportunities and help advance God’s kingdom.

Churches can even use technology to access bible scholars and have them teach their congregants through daily inspirational verses or prayer meetings organized online.

Mobilized and Equipped Congregation

The internet is dubbed “the information superhighway.” It is easier and faster to pass information from one person to another using technology. Churches should leverage this to equip their congregation for evangelism.

With technology, you can have continuous training, learning, and discipleship resources online for the congregation to use at basically no cost. 

The challenge now evolves from how to get this information to your congregants to how you’ll guide them through the wealth of knowledge and training available to them.

Steps You Can Take to Adopt Technology

You’re convinced that your church needs to add technology to its daily running. But how can you start the process of adoption?

Conduct an Inventory of Your Technology

Before adding new technology to your church, take time and conduct a technology inventory of your church. Look at what platforms or pieces you already have on hand and what options look viable based on your needs.

In some cases, free software options may work, or you may have to subscribe to a plan or buy the software at a one-time fee.

Add a Replacement Cost to Your Annual Budget

Technology needs to be maintained and replaced once its lifecycle is over. Consider adding these costs to your annual budget.

Raise Funds from Parishioners

You need to raise funds to acquire new technology for your church. The best way to go about it is by discussing with your parishioners why the church needs that piece of technology and how it will help fulfill the church’s mission.

You have a better chance of receiving donations if the members fully understand why managing the church online will be easier, efficient, convenient, most likely more cost-effective, and very impactful to the existing congregation and new members.

Review the Inventory and Plan Every Year

As the church grows, your technology needs may evolve. For instance, if you’ve been live-streaming, you may want to buy a better camera and improve lighting. Getting feedback from your members can also help you review what needs to be changed or updated.

Conduct these reviews at least yearly and update the budget accordingly.

As You Embrace Technology in The Church, Stay True to Your Mission

A great cloud-based church management technology solution will put your church on track for easier, faster, effective, and efficient management and evangelism.

As you open your arms to technology in the church, remember to stay true to the mission and vision of Christ’s body to spread His word across borders and nations.

Share this post